Here is our ultrasound picture from December 19 (8weeks,5days). You can clearly see the little head, two arms waving (well, really you can just see one arm in this view) and two little legs. ...Read More
3 hours ago
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time I told you the news. I'm pregnant again! Due on or around July 23, they tell me. Just past 10 weeks along. And no, I'll just go ahead and pre-empt the inevitable question: WE ARE NOT FINDING OUT WHAT WE'RE HAVING. We are so excited, and I'm quite ready to be out of my first trimester as this...Read More
Kyle and I just returned from two days in Norfork with our dear friend, Lynnie, and her three precious cats: Clancy, Amelia and Moe. It was just about the most relaxing 2 days I've had in a long time. Lynn is blessed with the gift of hospitality, and just being in her presence invites one to unwind, rest and just be. She always...Read More
Our Christmas Day was a blur of activity, as it usually is. We woke up and drove the 1.7 miles to my parent's house where the brothers were stirring from bed after a late night of watching movies and taking advantage of the next day off. My dad was tending to the turkey he was preparing for lunch. My mom was in bright...Read More
We use our nativity scene to teach Brooklyn about the real meaning of Christmas. While we did read her Twas The Night Before Christmas (mostly because I have a Mary Engelbreit illustrated version which I love), we read her more the story of Christ's birth from Luke 2. I'm not going to waste much time trying to convince her of the reality of...Read More
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But only sometimes and unfortunately, it never happens at my house, and it never lasts long. But sometimes, in the hills of northern Arkansas, one is just driving along and suddenly, there is snow. And it's worth stopping the car and capturing it because with all the warming of our globe, particularly in this part of the US, you just never know when...Read More
Since Brooklyn was born, Kyle has been on the prowl for an appropriately cool shirt that could proudly proclaim: PINK FLOYD. Well, such attire is harder to find than one would think, so my creative husband steps around any and all roadblocks to cool baby fashion and makes his own. Just another reason why I love this husband of mine so much. He...Read More
On Christmas Eve, Kyle and I dressed Brooklyn in her Christmas finery and drove across town to attend the 4:00 Christmas Eve service held by our church, Fellowship Bible Church. The place was packed by parents and their children, and we treasured the opportunity to praise the Lord and worship the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Somehow, the sounds of...Read More
When the afternoon sunlight streams through our french windows and casts patterns on our hardwood floors, warming the wood and my feet, I find myself wandering over to the piano to lose myself in the feeling of the keys beneath my fingers. Bailey has always loved it when I play the piano, and sometimes, I find her curled up on the couch, just...Read More
One of my favorite things has been seeing Brooklyn develop a love for animals. Whether it's cats, fish, dogs, cows, horses, squirrels, you name it, the child has a fondness for it. She gets it naturally as Kyle and I both have HUGE soft spots when it comes to creatures of the four-legged variety. In particular, Brooklyn has developed a bond with my...Read More
One of the bright spots of our Christmas this year was a visit from Kyle's younger sister, Kara! She is currently a resident of Hollywood - living out there as a not-quite-starving actress/singer. I say this in jest cause we really are very proud of her, but she will tell you that the jobs are sporadic and it can make getting by quite...Read More
In the progression of our children's lives, there are very subtle moments that you miss if you don't pay extremely close attention. And to be honest, I'm not sure you don't miss them regardless of how hard you focus. In particular, when did my baby become a little girl? I certainly couldn't pinpoint it, not even close. I just know that one day...Read More
This Christmas season, as a stay-at-home mom, I have really enjoyed just being here. Being still when I can enjoy the moment. Burrowing into my old, smushy, creaky couch with an off-white afghan made by my Grandma Gee who died before she could see me get pregnant and deliver my own baby girl on HER birthday. I have enjoyed popping in Christmas movies...Read More
Listen closely at the beginning of this clip. Brooklyn tells Cherokee (the howling puppy) to "Back up!" I love that she can actually say Cherokee! Quite impressive. She just makes me laugh. She loves to give kisses to Sonya, CJ, Cherokee and Isabelle. What can I say? She loves dogs, just like her mom and daddy. Although we don't go around plopping down...Read More
At the West's house in Dallas, Brooklyn turned the coffee table into her performance stage. She loved to hop up there and dance, howl with the dogs, or just drive the dogs crazy! ...Read More
We have completed yet another home project. This time, the second to last room has been painted. Well, that isn't counting the playroom upstairs... This is our true guest bedroom, not our other guest bedroom which is Brooklyn's future bedroom. And for the duration of our time on this street, the room has maintained its original, horrible neutral color of....masking tape. It has...Read More
Finally, the afghan that I have slaved over for nigh onto a year has reached its end. The last stitch has been sewn...the pieces fitted side by side...and the single largest project ever created by my hand is finished. And not a moment too soon. As the weather turns chilly, I reach for this weighty throw and fling it over myself, immediately banishing...Read More
Success not by the world's standards. I wish not for you moneyor beauty or fameor accolades or power.Rather, a heart that ishumble, grateful, gracious..the heart of a servant. with the desire to meet the needs of those around you beforeyour ownI desire to be a mother who teaches you what is truly importantsomething more than ABC's and 123ssomething other than how to scorehigh...Read More
While in Texas, Kyle and I visited Ikea. Wow. What an experience! I was truly worn out by the time our feet walked out the exit. But we got what we came for. The MALM bed. A modern update for our bedroom. And the best part was that the boxes fit into the 4runner without needing to be strapped on top! Kyle was...Read More
Friends are truly friends when they keep your secrets without question. When they offer you the stores of their cold medicine and don't even make fun of you cause your n's sound like b's. Friends are truly friends when they let you fall comatose onto your guest bed for hours when you just feel miserable and need to rest. Friends are truly friends...Read More
In the words of Larry the Cucumber, "a Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart...I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start."My heart is truly happy because I am truly thankful for the Lord's many blessings to us. This year, Kyle and I spent Thanksgiving Day with his parents and his grandmother, Alice. It was a day of firsts for...Read More
After Josh put on his helmet, Brooklyn had yet to give him his night-night kiss, so they got creative! And if you listen closely, you'll hear her sweetly tell him she loves him, again. After Josh put on his helmet, Brooklyn had yet to give him his night-night kiss, so they got creative! And if you listen closely, you'll hear her sweetly tell...Read More
Uncle Josh visited last night on his "cycle" as Brooklyn calls it, and as he was preparing to leave, Brooklyn shared her feelings. Uncle Josh visited last night on his "cycle" as Brooklyn calls it, and as he was preparing to leave, Brooklyn shared her feelings. ...Read More
Can you see the dogwood which is beginning to turn red? It's what I see as I stand at the stove and cook...what a blessing! ...Read More
In a house like this one, you have to take your time putting all the pieces together. If for no other reason than to minimize the number of holes you put in the wall! Our upstairs hall has been relatively bare for almost 2 years - by our choice. We are very deliberate about what hangs on our walls. No random space filling...Read More
